Pray For Those Who Govern

Elder Letter by Daniel Broyles

It’s late. Raven, our dog, is hiding under some furniture. The booming echoes of random fireworks bring her anxiety. I, on the other hand, find an odd sense of calm in them. It means we’re celebrating. July 4th or Independence Day is a birthday of sorts. It is a marker for the beginning of our nation, the recognition of its government and authority. Hence, we celebrate. We live in and are a part of a nation with laws and liberties.

As Christians, informed by the truths of Scripture, how do we live in light of this reality? This is a question worth considering as we read the Scriptures. Today, I’d like to call us to one specific response. Let us pray for our nation and God’s servants who have been appointed to lead it.

• Pray for those serving in our federal government.
• Pray for those serving in our state government.
• Pray for those serving in our local government.
• Pray for the church to be faithful as we live in and are a part of these governments.

1 Timothy 2:1–6
[1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (ESV)

Romans 13:1–7
[1] Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, [4] for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. [6] For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. [7] Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (ESV)

1 Peter 2:13–17
[13] Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (ESV)

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